Bombing mishap, Brussels 3 Aug 1944

[pointedeflèche]

Hello,

August 3rd 1944, B-24 bombers hit Vilvoorde, situated just outside Brussels. However, not all B-24’s hit Vilvoorde, some of them accidentally bombed a populated area in Brussels, namely, Square Marguerite and Square Ambiorix.

An air-raid shelter situated at Square Marguerite received a direct hit. My late grandmother and her daughter were amongst the few survivors in that shelter.

Can anyone tell me why the bombs were untimely released during the bomb run? I would like to learn the truth, not for any finger-pointing purposes.


I read somewhere (can’t remember where) that during the bomb run the bombardier of a lead ship, picked out a square at Brussels to adjust his bomb sight, but doing so accidentally released his bombs. The squadron dropped on his example. Was this the true reason? Is this what happened?

I know that 34th Bomb Group and 493rd Bomb Group hit Brussels/Vilvoorde that day. Perhaps there was a third Bomb Groups involved.

Any information would be much appreciated.
Thanking you in advance
Dirk